Valve structure



Nov. 21, 1944. H.VA. MANTZ VALVE STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 19, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l I 1 INVENTOR. ffar'ad efli-mni'z J I W m 01% 22,

Nov. 21, 1944. H. A. MANTZ 2,363,073

VALVE STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 19, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 79 J I V INVENTOR.

Ea M 25621 may fi pwmamww Patented Nov. 21, 1944 VALVE STRUCTURE Harold A. Mantz, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Milwaukee Gas Specialty Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 19, 1942, Serial No. 427,339

9 Claims.

This invention relates to burner control apparatus and has particular reference to an improved form of combined thermoelectric safety shutoff and electroresponsive valve.

While the invention has particular utility in connection with a burner or combination of burners which it is desired to place under automatic control and wherein a safety shutoff is desired for shutting off the supply of fuel in the event the pilot light or other flame is extinguished, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular use herein set forth but may be employed for all similar purposes as suitable or desired.

tion, thermoelectric safety shutoff and control devices of the type to which this invention particularly appertains usually require reset or cocking means for resetting or cocking the armature to attracted position and the valve or other safety shutoff means to open or operating position.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide means which will permit resettingand holding the armature of the thermoelectric safety shutoif portion of the device in attracted position without setting up the supply of fuel to the burner, and particularly, means which will permit resetting and holding the armature in attracted position without setting up the supply of fuel to the burner until the pilot burner has been lighted and a thermoelectriccurrent set up to hold the armature in attracted position.

Another object of the invention'is to provide an improved form of combined thermoelectric safety shutoff and electroresponsive valve which is operable automatically to shut off the supply troresponsive part of the device may be done, for

instance, by a manually controlled switch, or

automatically by a switch controlled by an abnormal, defective, or insufficient functioning or non-functioning of the apparatus, such as a switch controlled by a thermostat subject to the temperature of the water in the tank of a water heater, or subject to the temperature of a room or other space heated by the apparatus, or by a pressure switch controlled, for instance, by the pressure of the water in the tank of a water heater.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined thermoelectric safety shutoff and electroresponsive valve of relatively simple and inexpensive construction, and which may be installed and operated conveniently and. effectively; also a device of this character composed of relatively few parts and adapted for convenient and expeditious manufacture and assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined thermoelectric safety shutoff and electroresponsive valve in which a single main shutoff valve member constitutes both the thermoelectric safety shutoff valve and the electroresponsive valve and, more specifically, a device of this character having addition a safety pilot shutoff valve under the control of the thermoelectric safety means and so arranged that the main safety shutoff valve may operate under the control of the electroresponsive means independently of the safety pilot shutoff valve.

The thermoelectric safety shutoff is preferably of a character to shut off the flow of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner when the pilot light or other flame is extinguished, but the use of the invention with burner systems having constantly burning pilot lights and with' the thermoelectric safety shutoff ar-' ranged to shutoff only the flow of fuel to the main burner is contemplated within the scope of the broaderof the appended claims.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a more or less diagrammatic view showing a combined thermoelectric safety shutoff and electroresponsive valve embodying the present invention as applied to a burner equipped with a pilot burner; s

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the combined thermoelectric safety shutoff and electro- The Figure 3 is a fragmentary detail section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, the burner shown fragmentarily at i8 is any suitable or preferred main burner, by way of example for a water heater, or for a room or space heater, or it may be an oven burner or any other main burner.

A pipe, indicated fragmentarily at l I, supplies gaseous or other suitable fuel to the burner l0, and disposed in juxtaposition to the burner I8 is a pilot burner l2 which maintains a pilot light l3 for igniting the main burner. The pilot burner I2 is supplies with fuel by a tube l4 connected to the body of the combined thermoelectric safety shutoif and electroresponsive valve, as will be hereinafter described, or in any other suitable manner.

The combined thermoelectric safety shutoff and electroresponsive valve, designated in its entirety at I 8, comprises a valve body 28 having an inlet 2| and an outlet 22 which are connected in communication with contiguous sections of the fuel supply pipe II, the pipe section connected to the inlet 2| being adapted for delivering gas or other fuel from a suitable source of fuel supply, and the pipe section connected to the outlet 22 being adapted to deliver the fuel to the burner Ill.

The valve body 28 has a wall or partition 24 provided with an opening in which is mounted a tubular valve seat member 25 defining a valve opening 26 through which the inlet chamber 21 is adapted to be placed in communication with the outlet chamber 28. The inlet 21 opens into the inlet chamber 21, and the outlet chamber 28 opens outthrough the outlet 22. The valve seat member 25 is provided at one end with an annular valve seat 29 for a combined thermolectric safety shutofl and electroresponsive valv 30 shown as of generally cup-shaped form. At the opposite end of the valve seat member 25 is an annular valve seat 3| for a flow interrupter valve disc 32.

The particular electroresponsive valve shown in the drawings is in the form of a solenoid valve in general of the character disclosed and claimed in Theodore A. Wetzel Patent No. 2,111,232, granted March 15, 1938, and in the copending application of Henry F. Alfery, Serial No. 303,-

602, filed November 9, 1939, now Patent No. 2,297,- 854, granted October 6, 1942. The particular form of this electroresponsive valve may, of course, vary within the scope of the present invention.

The stem 35, which is preferably non-magnetic, is' slidable in a bore 36 extending longitudinally through the solenoid plunger or armature 38. The plunger 38 is counterbored at 39, and the stem has a head 48 outwardly beyond the shoulder 4| with the parts positioned as shown. Upon outward movement of the plunger 38 in response to energization of the'magnet coil 42, the shoulder 4| engages the. head 40 with an impact or hammer-like blow positively to release the valve 38 from its seat 29, and thereupon the continued outward movement of the plunger 38 lifts the valve 38 to open position.

The valve 30 is carried by a valve hub 43 which fits telescopically over the inner end of the stem 35 and is secured thereto by a pin 44. The pin 44 is restrained against displacement by the hub-like portion of an abutment member 45. A spacer sleeve 46 is positioned between the abutment member and the adjacent and of theplunger 38 and surrounds the stem 35.

The armature or plunger 38 is slidable'in a solenoid guide tube 48 preferably of non-magnetic material, which tube is closed at its outer end by a plug 49 preferably of magnetic material. The magnet coil 42 surrounds the upper or outer portion of the tube 48, and, upon energization, draws the plunger 39 outwardly toward,

5 the plug 48. The outward attraction imposed on the armature or plunger 38 upon energization of the coil 42 may be augmented by a magnetic or flux sleeve 58 which surrounds the outer end of the tube 48.

The tube 48 is preferably closed and sealed at its outer end, and thereby serves as a sealing tube to prevent leakage from the valve body 20. The lower or inner end of the tube 48 is fixed in a tube support 52 threaded into the 15 valve body 28. A gasket may be provided at 53,

and the support has diametrically opposite openings 54 forengagement by a spanner wrench or other suitable tool to screw the support 52 into and out of place. A magnetic or flux washer is 20 provided at 55, and an enclosing hood is provided at 56. The hood 56 is surmounted by a cover 58 which may be in the form of a name plate, and this cover and the hood 56 are held in place by a hood retaining screw 88 threaded 5 into the plug 49, or by through screws (not shown) threaded at their inner ends into the valve body 20, or in any other suitable or desired manner. The flux Washer 55 may be fastened in place by additional screws (not shown), 30 or, if desired, said washer may be held in place by the screw or screws which fasten the hood 56 in place.

The flux sleeve 58 is shown as carried by the outer end of the hood 56. Insulation, in the 35 form of an insulating spool, is provided for the coil 42 as indicated at 62, and, if desired, a suitable wrapping may be provided around the outer periphery of the coil 42. A spring "washer 63 is preferably interposed between the under side 40 of the top of the hood 56 and the outer end of the insulating spool 62. The outer end of the tube 48- is preferably peened over the outer end of the plug 49 at 64. A solenoid plunger plug 65 is secured in the outer end of the plunger 38, and a stop 66 which is preferably non-magnetic prevents the armature or plunger 38 from directly contacting the plug 49, thereby preclud- ,.ing residual magnetism in the armature from F0 holding the valve 38 open after deenergization of the coil 42.

As more fully disclosed in the copending application of Henry F, Alfery above identified, the armature 38 preferably comprises a body of magnetic material of irregular but generally triangular cross section. The unbalanced or eccentric distribution of the mass in the plunger 38 gives the same a relatively low magnetic reluctance along the side of greatest mass, so that upon energization of the coil 42 the armature 38 not only rises to open the valve and to enter the enclosure defined by the magnetic sleeve 58. but is drawn sidewise and held against the inner surface of the guide tube. This hugging of the armature against the inner surface of the guide tube prevents lateral or sidewise vibration and rattling of the armature in the guide tube.

Near the outer end the armature 38 is provided with an encircling shading ring 68 of copper or other suitable metal. The plug 49 is also 70 shown as provided with a shading ring 10 of copper or other suitable metal.

Power for energization of the coil 42 is supplied by insulated conductors 12 which may be connected to any suitable source of electric our- 7 rent, for example, through step down transformers to the usual line wires 2 adjacent where the device is installed. These conductors I2 extend through a sleeve or grommet I4 secured at I5 to the wall of the hood 50. The sleeve I4 is illustrated as internally threaded to receive a suitable closure plug (not shown).

Mounted on an insulating member I8 are a pair of spring contacts I9 and 80 secured to the insulating member I8 by terminal posts 8I and 82, respectively, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. One conductor I2 is connected to one end of the coil 42, and the other conductor I2 is connected to the terminal post 82. The other terminal post BI is connected, for example, at 83 to the other end of the coil 42. The contacts I9 and 80, with the actuating member therefor, constitute a switch for opening and closing the circuit for the coil 42 according to whether the pilot light I2 or other flame is burnin or extinguished as will presently appear. The contacts I9 and 80, and the adjacent end of the switch. actuator means are enclosed in an insulating housing 84 secured by screws 85 to the valve body 20. The attachment of the housing 84 to the body 20 is adapted to clamp the insulating member I8 in place as shown.

The electromagnet responsive to the pilot flame is shown as comprising a generally U- shaped magnet frame 90 positioned within a magnet housing 9| which seals the magnet and armature from the fuel and other matterthat might act deleteriously thereon, The magnet frame 90 is secured to a terminal bushing 92, for example, in the manner more fully disclosed in the copending application of Richard K. Engholdt, Serial No. 328,923, filed April 10, 1940. The coil 93 of the electromagnet is wound around the legs of the magnet frame 90.

The bushing 92, the shank of which extends through an opening in a magnet mounting nut 94, is shown as externally threaded for threaded engagement with a nut 85 by means of which the bushing 92 is clamped to the magnet mountlug nut 94. A gasket 96 is preferably placed between the flanged or headed inner end of the bushing 92 and. the magnet mounting nut 94. The magnet mounting nut 94 hasthreaded engagement at 98 in the valve body 20, a sealing gasket 99 being preferably placed between the inner end of the nut 94 and a cooperating annular shoulderin the valve body 20. The outer end of the generally cup-shaped magnet housing 9| is preferably peened over or secured to the flange or head at the inner end of the terminal bushing 92.

A thermoelectric generator shown in the form of a thermocouple I02 is placed in position so that the hot junction I03 thereof will be heated by the pilot flame I3 as long as the pilot flame is burning. The thermocouple and leads therefor may be similar to the thermocouple and leads more'fully disclosed in Oscar J. Leins Patent No. 2,126,564, granted August 9, 1938, or the thermocouple and leads may be of any other suitable or preferred form.

For the purpose of the present description, suffice it to state that the, particular thermocouple selected for illustration comprises an outer tubular metallic thermocouple element I04 and an inner metallic thermocouple element I05 of different thermoelectric characteristics. The inner thermocouple element I05 is joined at one end to the outer end of the outer thermocouple element I04 to form the thermojunction I03 which is placed in position to be heated by the pilot flame I3. An inner lead conductor I is joined to the inner thermocouple element I to form an internal thermojunction I08, and an outer tubular lead conductor IIO surrounds the inner lead conductor and is connected to the outer thermocouple element, for instance, through a sleeve H2 to form athird thermojunctlon. The inner lead conductor I06 is insulated from the outer lead conductor I I0, for instance by a wrapping of insulation II4 on the inner lead conductor.

A quick detachable or removable connection is preferably provided between the pilot responsive electromagnet and the ends of the leads I06 and H0 opposite the ends which are connected to the thermocouple elements. This removable lead connection may be of the form disclosed in the copending application of Richard K.Engholdt Iii above identified, and is illustrated in that form, it being understood that the connection may be of any other suitable or preferred form. Suflice it for purposes of thi description to state that the inner lead I06 has a connector cone II6 which seats in the correspondingly recessed outer end of the terminal tip H8 and is clamped in contact therewith by a connector sleeve I I9. The adjacent end of the outer tubular lead conductor H0 is connected in circuit with one side of the coil 93 through the connector sleeve H9 and bushing 92 to which one end of the coil is connected. The other end of the coil 93 is connected to the terminal tip H8, and through this tip H8 and the connector cone II6 with the inner lead conductor I06, the terminal tip H8 being insulated from the bushing 92.

The armature I22 is disposed in the armature and electromagnet housing 9| and is adapted to be held in attracted position against the pole ends of the magnet frame 90 as long as the electromagnet is thermoelectrically energized by th heat of the pilot or other flame on the thermoelectric generator. The armature I22 is shown of disc-like form and is secured at I23 to the armature stem I24. The attachment of the armature to the stem at I23 is preferably sufllciently loose. as indicated, to permit self-accommodation of the armature to the pole ends of the magnet frame by a generally universal movement of the armature upon the end of the stem I24. The stem I24 is disposed generally concentrically of the housing 9| and extends inwardly for reciprocatory movement through an opening I26 in theinner end of the housing 9|;

The valve body has a pilot outlet I 2 6 through 1 which fuel is adapted to be delivered to the tube M for delivery to the pilot burner I2. The inner end'of the outlet H28 is provided with an annular valve seat I29 for a safety pilot shutoff valve I80. The valve I90 is preferably rovided with a valve gasket or yielding facing I secured in place upon a pilot valve stem' I 36, for example bv a grooved collar I30 threaded upon the inner end of the stern I36. The adjacent end of the armature stem I24 fits telescopically in the inner end of the stem I36 and is fixed therein by a pin I39 restrained against dis lacement by the collar I30. Packing I40 is pre erably interposed between the inner end of the housing SI and a valve spring seating member I4I.

The valve spring I42 is in the form of a coiled compression spring interposed between the col ar I38 and the extending flange of t e valve spring seating member I4I, and centered. if desired, as shown. The spring I 42 resiliently moves the armature I22 to retracted position and the pilot safety shutoff valve I30 into closed position seating upon the valve seat I29, when the pilot responsive electromagnet is deenergized.

The outer end of the pilot valve stem I36 is secured at I58 to a flexible diaphragm I59 clamped marginally between the insulating switch housing 84 and the adjacent part of the valve body 20. A pin I60 fits telescopically in the outer end of the valve stem I36. This pin operates within the switch housing 84 and has abutting engagement at I 6I with the valve stem I36. The outer end of the pin I60 has abutting engagement with the spring contact 1.91to move this contact out of engagement with the contact 80, thereby opening the circuit-for the solenoid coil 42 upon movement of the armature I 22 to retracted position, as shown in Figure 2. Upon movement of the armature I22 to attracted position, the pin I60 frees the contact 19 for movement, for example, by its own resiliency into contact with the spring contact 80 to complete the circuit for the coil 42.

The heat of the pilot light upon the thermocouple is suflicient to hold the armature I22 in attracted position and the pilot valve I30 in open position when the armature is engaged with the pole ends of the magnet frame, but this thermoelectric current is not capable of moving the armature to attracted position and the valve member I30 to open position. In order, therefore, to provide for opening the pilot valve I30 and for setting the armature I22 to attracted position upon initial operation of the device and to reset the device after the same closes to shut off the supply of fuel to the main burner I and to the pilot burner I2 when the pilot light is extinguished, reset means is provided. This reset means comprises a reset stem I 65 coaxial with the main shutoff valve 30 and mounted for-sliding or rectilinear movement.

The reset stem I65 is guided at I66 in the member I68 and the opening through which the stem extends is sealed by suitable packing I69. A packing washer is provided at I10 and a reset spring I1I is coiled about the reset stem and interposed between this packing washer and a reset button I 12. The reset button I 12 is secured to the outer end of the reset stem and is guided for rectilinear movement in the boss I14 on the valve body 20. The inner end of the reset stem I65 is headed at I15 for abutting engagement with the hub 43 for the shutofi valve 30.

A reset gasket I16 is held in place in the member I68, for example, by peening the member I68 over at I18. The flow interrupter disc 32, which is slidable on the reset stem I65, has rib means at I80 which cooperates with the gasket I16 when the flow interrupter disc is in the position shown in the drawings. The cooperation of the rib means I30 with the gasket I16 tends to prevent the escape of gas or other fuel from the interior of the valve body 20 through the resetmeans. A coiled flow interrupter spring I82 is interposed between the flow interrupter disc 32 and the valve body 20. The flow interrupter disc 32 preferably has a valve gasket or yielding facing I83 for cooperation with the valve seat 3 I.

For the purpose of actuating the safety pilot shutoff valve I to open position and the armature I22 to attracted position by the opening movement imparted to the main valve 30 by the reset stem I65, I provide an actuating lever I pivoted at I46. One end of the lever I45 has pin or other means I48 engaging in the groove in the collar I38 whereby swinging movement of the lever I45 in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 2) will impart rectilinear movement to collar I38 in a direction to move the valve I30 to open position and the armature I22 to attracted position. The other end of the lever I45 is bifurcated at I freely to straddle the sleeve 46 and the hub of the abutment member,45.

The bifurcated end of the lever I45 is formed at I52 to be engaged by the flange of the abutment member 45 to actuate the valve I30 to open position and the armature I22 to attracted position upon pressing the reset stem I65 inwardly. The bifurcation I50 in the lever I45 permits the main shutoff valve 30 to be openedand closed automatically or, if desired, manually independently of the armature I22 and the pilot shutofl valve as long as the pilot shutofi valve I30 is in open or operating position. Thus, with the armature I22 in attracted position and the pilot shutoff valve I30 open, the main valve 30 may be opened and closed responsive to a thermostat t. timer, pressure switch, manual switch, or other control in the circuit for energizing the coil 42 of the solenoid valve Without disturbing the attracted position of the armature I22 or the open position of the pilot valve I30. Automatic opening and closing of the main shutofi valve is thus permitted while maintaining the pilot valve open and thereby the supply of fuel for the pilot light.

- The operation of the device is as follows:

When the pilot light is burning, the heat thereof upon the thermojunction I03 produces a thermoelectric current in the coil 93. The magnet frame 90 and armature I22 are preferably formed of an alloy of relatively low magnetic reluctance and, as a result, the minute or relatively weak electromotive force produces a magnetic field of sumcient strength so that when the armature I22 is placed in attracted position by pushing the reset button I12 inwardly, the magnetic attraction holds the armature in attracted position with a force greater than the force exerted by the spring I42, thereby holding the pilot valve I30 in open position as long as the pilot flame is burning.

Assuming that the main shutofi valve 30 is held open by the solenoid coil 42, if the pilot flame is extinguished the holding. action of the pilot responsive eleetromagnet ceases to be suflicient to hold the armature I22 in attracted position and the pilot valve I30 in open position, and the spring I42 moves the armature I22 to retracted position with an accompanying movement of thepilot valve I30 to closed position. In the movement of the pilot valve I30 to closed position the pin I separates the contact 19 from the contact 80. This opens or disables the circuit for the coil 42 and the main valve 30 drops to closed position by gravity, although spring means may be provided for moving the main valve to closed Position at this time.

When it is desired to reset the device, the reset button l12 is pressed inwardly. The reset stem in its inward movement abuts the hub 43 of the main shutofi valve and moves this valve to open position. I At the same time, the abutment of the abutment member 45 with the bifurcated end I50 of the lever I45 swings this lever in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot I46 'thereby, through the cooperation of the pin or other means I48 at the opposite end of the lever with the grooved collar I38, moving the armature I22 to attracted position and the pilot valve I30 to open position. Just prior to abutment of the inner end of the reset stem I with the hub 43 of the shutofi valve 30, the yielding facing I83 of the flow interrupter disc 32 seats upon the valve seat at 3| to shut off the supply of fuel to the main burner during the resetting operation. A supply of fuel is thus set up to the pilot burner, but there is not at this time any flow of fuel to the main burner where it could escape and collect unburned.

If the pilot burner is lighted and sets up a thermoelectric current to hold the armature in attracted position and the pilot valve I30 in open position, the pilot valve I30 will remain in open position, and when the reset button I12 is released, the spring "I returns the reset button and reset stem to their outwardly projected position as shown in Figure 2 and opens the now interrupter valve 32. If the circuit for the solenoid valve is closed, the main shutoff valve 30 will remain open and, as a result, fuel will flow to the main burner and beignited by the pilot light. If the pilot burner is not lighted to progravity, closing the valve with impact or with shutofi valve 30 is operable ..to open and closed 0 positions independently of the safetypilot shutoff valve, for example under the control of condition responsivemeans in the energizing circuit for the coil 42.

As already described, upon movement of the armature I22 to retracted position and the safety pilot shutoff valve I30 to closed position, for example, upon extinguishment of the pilot light, the pin I60 separates the contact I9 from the contact 80, thereby opening or disabling the circuit for the coil 42 and releasing the armature 38 for movement of the main shutoff valve to closed position. Upon resetting of the armature I22 to attracted position and the safety pilot shutoff valve 3!! to open position, the pin I60 moves inwardly with the pilot valve and armature and releases the spring contact '79 which moves, for example, under its inherent resilience into contact with the spring contact 80, thereby closing the circuit for the coil 42 so that the main shutoff valve will be electroresponsive to the condition responsive or other control means in the energizing circuit for the coil 42.

While the opening of the switch at "I9, 80 has been described as the means for accomplishing closing of the main valve 30 upon movement of the pilot valve I30 to closed position, it is to be understood that the lever I45 may be arranged to close the main valve upon movement of the pilot valve to closed position. In either case, the opening of the circuit for the eiectroresponsive valve at the switch I9, 80 will prevent opening of the main valve under the influence of the operating circuit for the coil 42 while the pilot valve I30 is closed.

The embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings is for illustrative purposes only and it is to be expressly understood that said drawings construed as a definition of the limits or scope of the invention, reference being had to the ap pended claims for that purpose.

I claim: I 1. In combination, thermoelectric safety means comprising a controlling member having a connected armature and an electromagnet connected in circuit with a thermoelectric generator adapted to be subjected to the heat of a flame, a main electroresponsive valve, an electrical operating circuit for said valve, reset means cooperable with said main valve in the opening movement thereof for rezetting the thermoelectric safety device through said main valve, and a switch for disabling the electrical operating circuit for said main valve as long as the controlling member of said thermoelectric safety device is in safety position, said switch being operable to position enabling the electrical operating circuit for said electroresponsive valve upon movement of the controlling member of said thermoelectric safety means to operating position.

2. In combination, electroresponsive main valve means having substantially rectilinear movement into open and closed positions, an electrical operating circuit for said main valve means,

a safety pilot shutoff valve, means for enabling and disabling said circuit responsive to opening and closing of said pilot valve, and reset means for resetting said pilot valve to open position comprising means for opening said main valve means and a resetting lever disposed to be contacted by the main valve means in the opening movement thereof and otherwise free therefrom for automatic closing and opening of said main valve means independently of said pilot valve when the latter is in its reset open position.

3. In combination, electroresponsive main valve means having substantially rectilinear movement into open and closed positions, an electrical operating circuit for said main valve means, a safety pilot shutoff valve, means for enabling and disabling said circuit responsive to opening and closing of said pilot valve, and reset means for resetting said pilot valve to open position comprising means for opening said main valve means and a resetting lever extending between and straddling the respective valve means disposed to be contacted by said main valve means in the opening movement thereof and otherwise free therefrom for automatic closing and opening I of said main valve means independently of said pilot valve when the latter is in its reset open position.

4. In combination, a valve body having a main fuel supply opening, an electroresponsive main valve for said opening, an electrical operating circuit for said main valve, a safety pilot shutoff valve, means for enabling and disabling said circuit responsive to opening and closing of said pilot valve, and reset means comprising means for opening said main valve and connections between said valves for resetting said pilot valve to open position in the opening movement of said main valve, said reset means comprising means for closing said main fuel supply opening during the resetting operation, said connections being of a character to permit said main valve to remain open upon completion of the resetting operation while also permitting automatic closing and opening of said main valve independently of said pilot valve when the latter is in open position.

5. In combination a valve body having a main and the accompanying specification are not to be fuel supply opening, a main valve for said fuel supply opening, a safety pilot shutoff valve, an armature for said safety pilot shutoff valve, an electromagnet for holding said armature in attracted position and said safety pilot shutofi? valve in open position, a thermoelectric generator connected in circuit with said electromagnet, reset means comprising means for opening said main valve and connections between said valves whereby movement of the main valve to open position opens the pilot shutofl valve and moves said armature to attracted position and said main valve is free to move between open and closed positions while the pilot shutofi valve remains open, and valve means for preventing the fiow of fuel through said main valve supply opening during the resetting operation.

6. In combination, a valve body having a main fuel supply opening, main valve means comprising a main valve for said fuel supply opening, safety pilot shutoif valve means comprising a safety pilot shutoif valve,'an armature for said safety pilot shutofl. valve, an electromagnet for holding said armature in attracted position and said safety pilot shutoff valve in open position, a

-thermoelectric generator connected in circuit with said electromagnet, and reset means comprising means for opening said maln valve and connections between said valves whereby movement'of the main valve to open position opens the pilot-shutoff valve and moves said armature to attracted position and said main valve is free to move between open and closed positions while the pilot shutoff valve remains open, said reset means including means whereby supply of fuel through said opening is shut off during the re setting operation.

7. In combination, an electroresponslve main valve and an operating circuit therefor, a safety pilot shutoff valve, means for enabling and disabling said circuit responsive to opening and closing of said pilot valve, and reset means comprising means for opening said main valve and connections between said valves whereby move- 'ment of the main valve to open position opens the pilot valve and said main valve is free to move between open and closed positions while the pilot valve remains open.

8. In combination, an electroresponsive main valve having rectilinear movement to open and closed positions, an electrical operating circuit for said valve, a safety pilot shutofi valve, means for enabling and disabling said circuit responsive to opening and closing of said pilot valve, and

j reset means comprising means for opening said main valve and connections between said valves whereby movement of the main valve to open position opens the pilot valve and said main valve is free to move between open and closedpositlons while the pilot valve remains open.

9. In combination, a valve body having a main fuel supply opening, an electroresponsive main valve controlling said opening, an electrical operating circuit for said main valve, a safety pilot shutoff valve, means for enabling and disabling said circuit responsive to opening and closing of said pilot valve, and reset means comprising means for opening said main valve and connections between said valves whereby movement of the main valve to open posltionopens the pilot valve and said main valve is free to move between open-and closed positions while the pilot valve remains open.

HAROLD A. MAN'IZ. 

